Whiffletree-couplsng



(No Model.)

J. J. KOGHER.

y 1 WHIFFLBTREE GOUPLING. No. 444,646. Patented Jan. 1s, 1891.

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'milf ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATE-NT Fries.

JOHN J. KOCI'IER, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

'WHIFFLETRi-:E-COUPMNG.

SPECIFICATION forming part'of Letters Patent No. 444,646, dated January 13, 1891.

Application ned March 28, 1890. sans no. 345,774. cio model.) l

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN J. Kocnnn, of Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Whiftletree Couplings or Joints, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an improvement in couplings or joints for securing whiffletrees to their cross-bars or supports; and the invention consists in certain novel constructions and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l shows the coupling in connection with parts of the Whittletree and support. Figs. 2 and, 3 are detail views, respectively, of the upper and lower sections. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-section on about line 4 et of Fig. l, and Fig. 5 shows different forms in which the interlocking portions may be made. v

The coupling consists of the upper section A, the lower section B, and the connectingbolt C.

The sections A B are formed with edge flanges or ears a h to lap alongside the whifiietree D and its support E. VThe ears a are secured to the whiffletree by a bolt or rivet d and the ears h to the support E by screws c. These sections A and B are provided on their adjacent faces with concentric segmental interlocking portions, which permit the sections to be rotated one upon the other and yet hold them rigidly from detachment in the line of their axes. I connect the sections A and B by means of the bolt C, having its head countersunk in a recess f in the top of sectionA and extending thence downward through'the sections A and B and the support E and secured below such support by a nut, as shown, such bolt being arranged to turn in section A and being keyed to, section B by fitting its squared portion in a square hole in said section, as shown.

In eecting the interlocking portions it is preferred to provide the section A with segmental undercut guides Gr and the lower section with segmental rails H, formed to iit in said guides, the undercut formation of the guides and the corresponding construction of the rails operating to permit the free turning of the section A and the whifiietree thereto `attached and holding such sections A B from detachment in the line of their axes until the interlocking parts G and H are turned out of engagement by giving one or the other thereof a quarter-turn from their normal relative positions, when, the bolt C being released, the whifiietree and its section may be removed.

It will be noticed that I have shown two rails H at the rear of the lower section and one at the front of such section. It will be understoodV that the number of these rails may be increased according to the size of the coupling-sections. g

To further brace and steady the movement of the sections, I provide the upper section with a circular rib or flange I, which enters and turns in a circular groove 'il in the lower section. Manifestlythe interlocking portions may be shaped in cross-section, as shown in Fig.4, or in the single or double curved forms shown in Fig. 5.

B v my invention I avoid the difficulties incident to the use of the ordinary whiffletreebolt, such as the twisting or breaking thereof and of such bolt getting loose. The interlocking portions or locks keep the whimetree snugly in place and yet permit all the play required. By the provision of the two locks at the rear of the plates A and B, I am able to take considerable of the wear at such point, instead of having the entire wear borne at the front of the sections. The connecting-bolt being arranged to connect the upper and lower sections and the supports tightens such parts together and prevents rattling.

The use of the ears c and b prevents the whiflietree-coupling from working loose, and by avoiding the formation of a hole .through the whiffletree for the ordinary pivot-bolt the strength of such whifdetree is not impaired at the center, the point where it needs the greatest strength.

It will be noticed from Figs. 2 and 3 that both sections A and B are firmly secured to their respective supports D and E by means of screws, preferably four to each section, and arranged to turn through such plates into, respectively, the under and upper sides of supports D and E.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim as new isl. A whiffletree -coupling comprising the IOO upper and lower sections, having a common axis, and provided in rear of such axis the one with a plurality of segmental rail-like portions and the other with a plurality of segmental undercut guides to receive said portions, all substantially as set forth.

2. A whiietree-coupling comprising the upper section and the lower section, having a common axis, one of such sections being formed with undercut grooves on opposite sides of said axis and the other section with segmental ribs or rails formed to fit snuglyin said grooves, all substantially as set forth.

3. An improved whiletree-coupling consisting of the upper section and the lower section, having a common axis, one of such sections being provided in front of its axis With a curved groove and rear ot' its axis with a plurality of curved grooves, and the other Witnesses:

J. W. TABoR, A. K. SHERRIFF. 

